A Day in the Life of an ABA Therapy Session
By Stephanie O’Driscoll, MA, BCBA, LBA
If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens during an ABA therapy session, you’re not alone. From the outside, it can look like play, conversation, or everyday routines — and that’s often exactly the point.
Good ABA therapy is designed to fit into a child’s real life. Here’s what a typical session might look like.
Starting with Connection
Sessions usually begin with something simple but important: building rapport.
This might look like:
Playing a favorite game
Talking about a preferred topic
Reading a book together
Doing a quick movement or sensory activity
This isn’t “just play.” It helps the child feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn. A strong relationship is the foundation for everything that follows.
Reviewing the Plan
Behind the scenes, each session is guided by an individualized treatment plan created and supervised by a BCBA. The therapist comes in knowing:
Which skills are being targeted
What strategies help this child succeed
How to respond if challenging behaviors occur
Data from previous sessions helps shape what happens next. If something was too hard yesterday, today’s plan may be adjusted.
Teaching Through Everyday Activities
ABA sessions often look like regular childhood activities — because that’s where skills are most useful.
Skill-building might happen during:
Playing a board game (turn-taking, waiting, handling losing)
Snack time (requesting, following directions, independence)
Homework (asking for help, staying on task, coping with frustration)
Pretend play (social interaction, language, flexibility)
Rather than sitting at a table for long periods, therapists weave learning into meaningful moments.
Working on Communication
Many sessions focus on helping children express their needs more effectively. That might include learning to:
Ask for a break
Ask for help
Say “all done”
Request a favorite item or activity
Use words, pictures, or a communication device
When communication improves, frustration often decreases because the child has better tools to get their needs met.
Supporting Emotional Regulation
Big feelings are a common focus in ABA sessions. Therapists may practice:
Identifying emotions
Using calming strategies
Taking breaks before becoming overwhelmed
Handling small disappointments
This might look like practicing deep breathing after losing a game, or using a visual scale to show how upset they feel.
These are lifelong skills, not just therapy goals.
Responding to Challenging Behavior
Challenging behaviors can still happen during sessions — and that’s okay. These moments are opportunities to teach.
The therapist may:
Stay calm and keep the child safe
Reduce demands if the child is overwhelmed
Prompt a communication skill (“Can you ask for a break?”)
Reinforce when the child uses a more appropriate response
The goal isn’t punishment. It’s helping the child learn what to do instead next time.
Celebrating Successes (Big and Small)
Progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s:
One extra minute of staying with a task
Asking for help instead of yelling
Recovering from a disappointment more quickly
Therapists notice and reinforce these steps forward. Small gains build into big change over time.
Partnering with Parents and Caregivers
A session often ends with a quick check-in with parents or caregivers. This may include:
Sharing what went well
Talking through any challenges
Modeling strategies to use between sessions
Adjusting goals based on what’s happening at home or school
ABA works best when skills are practiced beyond therapy time, in everyday routines.
Every Session Is Individual
No two ABA sessions look exactly the same. They’re shaped by the child’s age, goals, personality, environment, and daily needs.
At its best, ABA therapy doesn’t feel like a separate part of life. It blends into play, routines, and real-world situations — helping children build skills they can use everywhere.